This is usually caused by a defective component in the tape detection circuitry and can usually be repaired fairly inexpensively. However, it's not a user serviceable problem and will need to be repaired qualified service technician.

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It sounds like something has jammed the tape door mechanism preventing it from opening. This is a very delicate part of a mini DV camcorder. I would highly recommend taking it to a electronics repair shop where it can be checked out. If you try and force the tape out you will probably cause considerable damage to the tape transport system making your camcorder unusable.

Have the same problem here. Bought my TVR33 in 2003, and its still
a good cam with 1 megapixel. But since 1 month the tape won't load. I can insert any tape in the cassette, but it won't close. Without a tape it closes fine.
My only option is to send it to frsbenelux to fix it for a few hundred euros. Hoping to find a solution on the net, i will share with ya.

Was having a similar problem but the tape would not even partially load. Spent several hours, over the course of several days trying to figure how to fix this and found the following solution to a similar problem on this site. I tried it as a last resort...it worked! Now I just need to figure out what to tell my wife when she asks me "how" I fixed the camera????
Here is what I did...I allowed the mechanism to close without a tape inserted (the only way it WOULD close), gave it a solid - but gentle - whack on the tape side of the camcorder with the palm of my hand...sort of like burping a baby. I said a little prayer to the saint of hopeless causes (St. Jude Thaddeus)...slid the open/eject button, opened the door, slid a tape in, gently pushed it down (where it says "push") and ...the mechanism closed!!!
Not sure if the "fix" will last but we'll see and report back if the problem crops up again.